Black Dog
Black Dog
Primarily a British phenomenon, Black Dogs are spirit apparitions that generally appear at night. These apparitions can be distinguished from normal flesh-and-blood black dogs by features such as large or glowing eyes, sometimes only one; an ability to disappear or appear out of thin air or into and out of the ground; and no head, two heads or the ability to change their size or appearance.
Black Dogs are most often seen on roads or other places where people move from one locality to another, including footpaths, bridges, crossroads, gates, doors, stairs and corridors. Another common haunt for the Black Dogs is graveyards, leading some people to suspect that these dogs tend to haunt Spirit Paths.
Some people believe that a Black Dog is an omen of death, and that to see one means either you or a family member will die. In ancient European folklore, the dog is seen as both the guardian and consumer of dead spirits; one such belief is referred to as the Wild Hunt, where a pack of dogs and a master of the hunt fly through the sky looking for lost souls. Others believe Black Dogs are helpful, leading lost travellers or protecting them from harm.
Black Dog
A black dog is a ghostly presence found primarily in British folklore. The black dog is essentially a nocturnal being, and its appearance is regarded as a foreshadowing of death. It is larger than a physical dog, and often has large, glowing eyes. It is often associated with electrical storms, crossroads, places of execution and ancient pathways. In Norfolk legend the creature is supposed to be amphibious, coming out of the sea at night and travelling the lonely roads.
– Pad of Definitions (2.08 Crossroad Blues), Official Website
Black Dogs in Supernatural
When Sam and Dean first encounter hellhounds, they think they may be dealing with a Black Dog:[1]
- Dean: Do you think we're dealing with an actual black dog?
- Sam: Well, maybe.
- Dean: What's the lore on it?
- Sam: It's all pretty vague. I mean, there are spectral black dogs all over the world, but... some say they're animal spirits, others say death omens.
Black Dogs in Lore
The black dog is a supernatural being found primarily in the folklore of the British Isles. A nocturnal apparition, it is often associated with the Devil and its appearance is regarded as a portent of death. It is generally described as larger than a normal dog with big, glowing eyes.[2]
